31、英语小故事（英汉对照）“宝石学家收徒记”

A young man presented himself to the local expert on gems and said he wanted to become a gemologist（宝石学家）. The expert brushed him off because he feared that the youth would not have the patience to learn.

一个年轻人向当地的宝石专家毛遂自荐，说自己想要成为一名宝石学家。专家一口回绝，因为担心年轻人没有耐心学习。

The young man pleaded（辩护） for a chance. Finally the expert consented（同意） and told the youth, “Be here tomorrow.” The next morning the expert put a jade（翡翠） stone in the boy's hand and told him to hold it.

年轻人恳求专家给自己一个机会。终于，专家同意了：“那你明天来学吧。” 隔天上午，专家把一块玉石放在男孩手上，让他拿住。

The expert then went about his work, cutting, weighing, and setting gems. The boy sat quietly and waited. The following morning the expert again placed the jade stone in the youth's hand and told him to hold it.

然后自己就去忙工作了，一会儿切割，一会儿称重，一会儿又把宝石摆放到某个位置上。男孩就安静地坐着等。第二天早上，专家又把玉石放到男孩手里，让他握住。

On the third, fourth, and fifth day the expert repeated the exercise and the instructions（指令）. On the sixth day the youth held the jade stone, but could no longer stand the silence.

第三、第四、第五天，专家也都重复相同的内容和指令。 第六天，年轻人握着玉石，终于打破了沉默

“Master,” he asked, “when am I going to learn something?” “You'll learn,” the expert replied and went about his business. Several more days went by and the youth's frustration increased.

“师傅，”他问，“您什么时候才能教我啊？” “会教的。”专家回答说，说完继续忙自己的事情。 又过了好几天，年轻人越发感到沮丧。

One morning as the expert approached and beckoned（示意） for him to hold out his hand, he was about to blurt out that he could go on no longer.

一天早晨，专家走过来，示意让他伸出手来。年轻人忍无可忍，几乎要爆发了。

But as the expert placed the stone in the youth's hand, the young man exclaimed without looking at his hand, “This is not the same jade stone!” “You have begun to learn,” said the expert.

但是当他握住石头的时候，他看都没看就喊了起来：“这不是那块玉石！” “你已经开始入门了。”专家说。